# NTSB FTW81FRA43: Cessna 402B, N3971C, Houston, TX, July 6, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 6, 1981
- Place: Houston, TX · HOUSTON, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 14, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FRA43
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRA43

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1394   81/7/6    HOUSTON,TX          CESSNA 402B         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 0200                    N3971C              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  33, 4407 TOTAL HOURS, 41
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HOBBY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HOUSTON,TX                  ABILENE,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           WHEELS-UP                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO EXTEND LANDING GEAR
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE ACCESSORIES: STARTERS
           SYSTEMS - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: RELAYS AND WIRING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - STICKING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ELECTRICAL FAILURE
        REMARKS- R STARTER SOLENOID STUCK IN CLOSED PSN.ATMTD TO LWR GEAR BY TURNING HAND CRANK IN WRONG DIRECTION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3971C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3971C-1984-12-20), registration cancelled 1984-12-20, S/N 402B0843, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Hobby

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19810706038599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810706038599A), Jul 6, 1981: Cessna 402B, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Electrical failure from stuck starter solenoid. Tried to crank gear down wrong direction. Landed wheels up.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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